Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy calls a play in the first half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, in Indianapolis on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The Pistons officially announced the hiring of Van Gundy as head coach and president of basketball operations.

““Stan is a proven winner in our league,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “He instills his teams with passion, purpose and toughness. He is a great teacher who will help our players grow and develop.

“Stan is more than just a great coach, he’s a great leader. What I’m most excited about is how Stan can help us shape the franchise and instill what it means to be the best. He’s also a great communicator. My time with Stan has me convinced that he will bring our players, team and community to a very proud place.”

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Van Gundy will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday.

““It is an honor to be chosen to help Tom Gores build the Pistons into a team that competes for championships,” Van Gundy said in a statement. “Tom’s vision of building for the future, while seeking immediate improvement is a challenge that I embrace. We will work to put a team on the floor that reflects the franchise’s rich tradition and embodies the toughness and work ethic of fans in the Detroit area.”

Van Gundy has .641 winning percentage in seven-plus seasons as a head coach and has reached the playoffs seven times. Van Gundy’s .641 winning percentage is the sixth-highest among NBA coaches with 500 or more games of head coaching experience.

Van Gundy last coached the Orlando Magic from 2007 to 2012 where he complied a 259-135 record in the regular season. Orlando reached the playoff five times during Van Gundy’s tenure, reaching the NBA Finals in 2009 and the Eastern Conference finals twice (2009, 2010).

Prior to coaching the Magic, Van Gundy coached the Miami Heat from 2003 to 2005, complying a record of 112-73 in two-plus seasons. The Heat reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2005.